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Using two genetic testing methods, the researchers compared the production of genes in male and female brains in embryonic mice -- long before the animals developed sex organs.

They found 54 genes produced in different amounts in male and female mouse brains, prior to hormonal influence. Eighteen of the genes were produced at higher levels in the male brains; 36 were produced at higher levels in the female brains.

"We discovered that the male and female brains differed in many measurable ways, including anatomy and function." Vilain said.

For example, the two hemispheres of the brain appeared more symmetrical in females than in males. According to Vilain, the symmetry may improve communication between both sides of the brain, leading to enhanced verbal expressiveness in females.

"This anatomical difference may explain why women can sometimes articulate their feelings more easily than men," he said.

The scientists plan to conduct further studies to determine the specific role for each of the 54 genes they identified.

"Our findings may explain why we feel male or female, regardless of our actual anatomy," said Vilain. "These discoveries lend credence to the idea that being transgender --- feeling that one has been born into the body of the wrong sex -- is a state of mind.

It's funny how homosexual activists constantly dodge the nature/nurture question as it suits them. Say that homosexuality is a choice, and they'll say that it's genetic. If it's genetic, we ought to be able to select it out of the genepool, or reengineer our children to remove the "gay gene". Of course, if we express such a desire ( I certainly would), they'll suddenly become anti-abortion activists. In fact, if the "gay gene" were real, that would in fact make things a lot simpler. Homosexuality would disappear in no time, since parents everywhere will be falling over each other to either abort homosexuality-predisposed fetuses, or to neutralize their gay genes ( I know, it isn't very PC, but neither is white flight. People are very un-PC when it comes to their children).

Halfway into a mouse pregnancy, before the testes have even formed, the activity of 51 genes is different in males and females, says Eric Vilain of the University of California, Los Angeles. His team analysed 12,000 brain genes.

The discovery hints that unknown genes hardwire our gender - perhaps influencing the way that men and women think, tackle problems or perceive themselves.